Children’s Hospital To Become A Reality

Supporters of the proposed children’s hospital bond waited nervously for Tuesday’s election results. Hours later, they claimed victory.”It’s a great day for El Paso. We spoke to the need, we spoke to our vision of a children’s hospital for this community, and we’ve been on the campaign for the past 11 months. It’s been a heart-felt campaign,” said Jim Valenti, President and CEO for the El Paso County Hospital District.

Unofficial election results posted on the El Paso County website show almost 50.86 percent of voter percent of voters were in favor of the children’s hospital, while 49.14 percent voted against it.

“It is surprising. I thought it would’ve been by a higher margin,” said Fransisco Aguilar who has a daughter with disabilities. Aguilar said he’s had to travel to other cities to get his daughter the care she needs.

“It’s frustrating, no doubt. So that’s why I’m saying I think it’s a good idea to bring a children’s hospital into town because there’s going to be a lot more opportunity and specialists to cater to children,” said Aguilar.

However, not everyone is looking forward to having a children’s hospital.

“It’s pretty disappointing that it passed because it means an increase in taxes for people that probably can’t afford that increase,” said Deborah Carnagey, who has no children and said the issue doesn’t affect her.

Supporters said the tax increase will be $28.56 a year for every $100,000 in home value. It will help pay for the construction of the $120 children’s hospital.

Now that the children’s hospital will in fact be built, officials are already looking into the future.

“We now have the hard work of recruiting medical specialist,” said Valenti.

The children’s hospital is set to be built between Thomason Hospital and the parking garage. The groundbreaking will be in 2008, construction in 2009 and 2010. The children’s hospital is set to open in 2011.